Death Penalty Abolition One Step Closer to Quinn's Desk

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 11, 2011 7:00PM

The measure in Springfield to bring a halt to the Death Penalty in Illinois to yet another step to reality today, when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 in favor of getting rid of capital punishment. the move clears the way for a full vote on the bill in the Senate. Last week the House voted to abolish the death penalty. State Sen. Kwame Raoul, the bill's sponsor in the Senate, said that he feels there are enough votes for passage.

It's still uncertain that Gov. Quinn will sign the ban into law, if it does clear the Senate hurdle. During the election campaign, Quinn said that he was in favor of the moratorium former Gov. George Ryan enacted ten years ago to remain in place, while waiting to see if death penalty reforms would work.